Bible: Col 2:8-23

2:8Be carefulnotto allow anyoneto captivateyou1 throughan empty, deceitful philosophy2that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits3 of the world, andnotaccordingto Christ.2:9Forinhimallthe fullnessof deitylives4in bodily form,2:10andyou have beenfilledinhim, whoisthe headover everyrulerandauthority.2:11Inhimyoualsowere circumcised– not, however,5 with a circumcisionperformed by human hands, but bythe removal6 ofthe fleshlybody,7that is,8 through the circumcisiondone by Christ.2:12Having been buried withhiminbaptism, youalsohave been raisedwithhimthroughyour9 faithin the power10of Godwho raisedhimfromthe dead.2:13Andeven though youweredeadin your11 transgressionsandin the uncircumcisionof yourflesh, henevertheless12 madeyoualivewithhim, having forgivenallyour transgressions.2:14He has destroyed13what was againstus, a certificate of indebtedness14expressed in decreesopposedto us. He has takenit awayby nailingitto the cross.2:15Disarming15the rulersandauthorities, he has made a public disgraceof them, triumphingover thembythe cross.16

2:16Thereforedonotletanyonejudgeyouwith respect tofoodordrink, orinthe matterof a feast, new moon, orSabbath days–2:17theseareonly17 the shadowof the things to come, butthe reality18is Christ!192:18Let no onewho delightsinhumilityandthe worshipof angelspass judgment on you. That person goes on at great lengths20 about whathe has supposedlyseen, but he is puffed upwith empty notionsbyhisfleshlymind.212:19Hehasnotheld fast22to the headfromwhomthe wholebody, supported23andknit togetherthroughits ligamentsandsinews, growswith a growththat is from God.24

2:20Ifyou have diedwithChristtothe elementalspirits25 of the world, whydo you submitto them as thoughyou livedinthe world?2:21“Donothandle! Donottaste! Donottouch!”2:22These arealldestined toperishwith use, founded as they are26 onhumancommandsandteachings.272:23Even though they havethe appearance of wisdom28withtheir self-imposed worshipandfalse humility29achieved by an30 unsparing treatmentof the body– a wisdom with notrue value– they inreality result infleshlyindulgence.31